Sterling doesn’t plan to pay
Donald Sterling’s attorney has written the NBA stating the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers does not intend to pay the $2.5 million fine imposed by the league for racist comments, a person with knowledge of the letter’s contents said.
Sports Illustrated first reported the letter from Maxwell Blecher. The contents were confirmed by the person who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
Blecher, a prominent antitrust attorney, acknowledged sending a letter but would not discuss its contents yesterday.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life and imposed the fine following the release late last month of a recording in which Sterling makes racist remarks. Silver also called on owners to oust Sterling from the league, which would require a three-fourths vote among the league’s 29 other controlling owners.
Sports Illustrated reported that the letter to NBA executive vice president and general counsel Rick Buchanan said Sterling would not pay the fine because it violated his right to due process. It also says the controversy “will be adjudicated,” according to the report.
The person who spoke to the AP said that if Sterling doesn’t pay the fine, the league could withhold $2.5 million from the Clippers when disbursing money to teams.
The league’s Advisory/ Finance Committee met via conference call as recently as Tuesday, according to league spokesman Mike Bass.
Bass added that the committee will reconvene next week.
The NBA’s constitution, which Donald Sterling signed as controlling owner of the Clippers, gives its board of governors broad latitude in league decisions, including who owns the teams. Article 13 (d) of the constitution states that an owner cannot “fail or refuse to fulfill” contractual obligations to the NBA “in such a way to affect the Association or its members adversely.”
Sterling has said he
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does not want to sell the Clippers. His estranged wife, Shelly, has said she would like to keep her stake in the team even if her husband is ousted.
Thunder’s Ibaka out for postseason
Oklahoma City Thunder forward and defensive specialist Serge Ibaka will miss the rest of the playoffs because of an injured left calf.
Ibaka underwent an exam a day after Oklahoma City eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers and advanced to the Western Conference finals against the Spurs.
Ibaka was injured during Thursday night’s victory.